Nivar Records WBB's Second Triple-Double In 83-48 Win Over South Dakota State

Thursday, November 27

Cancun, Mexico

11 AM

North Carolina

6-1,0-0ACC

South Dakota State

5-1,0-0Summit League

North Carolina

South Dakota St.

Nivar Records WBB's Second Triple-Double In 83-48 Win Over South Dakota State

November 27, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CANCUN, MEXICO – As its offense continues to fire on all cylinders, No. 12 women's basketball ran off to a Thanksgiving Day win over South Dakota in its opening game of the Cancun Challenge, 83-48. Taking on the Jackrabbits from the Hard Rock Riviera Maya, Indya Nivar wrote history of her own with the second triple-double for Carolina women's basketball.

Recording 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals, Nivar now owns one of four triple-doubles in Carolina men's and women's basketball history. She's the first to achieve the feat with double-figure steals. Her double-digit swipes also match the program single-game record of 10, set by Pam Leake against Clemson in 1985. Nivar's rebounds and steals set a new career-high for the senior, while also matching her career-high with a team leading five assists.

North Carolina (6-1) displayed its power on both sides of the ball, handing South Dakota State (5-1) its first loss of the season. In a defensive clinic, Carolina snagged 15 steals on the day.

The win over the Jackrabbits also set another historical mark for the Tar Heels, with their 1,100^th win in program history. Carolina is one of 17 teams nationally to reach the mark and one of three in the ACC.

Nivar wasn't the only Tar Heel making some noise against the Jackrabbits, as Elina Aarnisalo and Nyla Brooks each posted 14 points apiece. Aarnisalo set a new season-high in scoring, while also dishing out four assists. Brooks remains hot from beyond the arc as she drained four triples against SDSU. In her last two outings, Brooks is 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Wasting no time from the jump, Carolina came out hot with a 9-0 run to start. With a balanced scoring attack, the Tar Heels held the Jackrabbits to a mere 20% from the field in the opening frame. Carrying the load off the boards, Nivar grabbed eight in the first quarter alone for UNC to go ahead 16-9.

Brooks loves to light it up from deep, with the freshman hitting four triples in the first half alone. Taking advantage of Jackrabbit turnovers, Carolina cashed in 12 turnovers for 18points to extend its advantage.

With Nivar taking command on both sides of the ball, the Tar Heels ran off to a 41-23 lead at the break.

Carolina added to its advantage through the three-ball, going ahead by as many as 32 in the third. Nyla Harris added a run of her own with three consecutive buckets to show off Carolina's power in the paint.

As Nivar neared the triple-double mark in the fourth, the anticipation was palpable as the watch was on. Snagging her 10^th steal of the day with 3:13 remaining, the Carolina bench erupted for Nivar's historic feat.

With a win in sight, Carolina coasted to the 35-point victory over South Dakota State to win its first game in Cancun, 83-48.

Back in action tomorrow, Carolina takes on Kansas State in game two at the Cancun Challenge. Tip against the Wildcats is set for 11 a.m. ET, streaming on FloHoops.